Article of furniture



p 17, 1929- c. A. TOMPKINSI 1,728,640

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed May 26, 1926 2 Sheets-:Sheet l INVENTOR Sept. 17, 1929. Q M KN 1,728,640

ART ICLE OF FURNI TURE Filed May 26', 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNE Patented Sept. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES CHARLES A. TOMPKINS, F WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON ARTICLE or FURNITURE Application filed May 26, 1926, Serial No. 111,739, and in Canada May 21, 1926.

This invention relates to articles of furniture and has as one of its objects to provide an article of furniture that is foldable, and that is more particularly adaptable for camping purposes in combination with an automobile.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of furniture that will conform to the support of the automobile cushions, and that can compactly be disposed of beneath the cushion.

A further object of the invention is to provide an article of furniture that will form a camp seat or table.

A further object of the invention is to pro- \5 vide an article of furniture that by placing it before the back seat and covering it with the front cushion, will form a pen for small children.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 2 vide an article of furniture that may be used as a porch or lawn seat or that may support a flower box, or the like.

WVith these and other objects in view reference is now had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows a fragment of an automobile in section with the article of furniture stowed away beneath the cushion;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing the position of the cushion with the article of furniture removed;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device from below;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device extended for use;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a fragment of the frame and legs showing the leg in the closed position Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of the device where the device is made expansible;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a fragment of the modified form of the device showing the position of the sleeve; and Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a fragment of the modified form of the device showing the complete expansion means in an operableposit-ion.

Having reference to the drawings like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and the numeral 1 refers, to the fragment of an automobile consisting of the seat portion thereof and comprising the floor 2, a cleat 3 attached to the floor, aback 4, a cleat 5 secured to the back, a cushion support .55 6 supported at the rear end 7 by the cleat 5 i and at the front end 8 bya front plate 9 se cured to the cushion support 6, in a manner to form a support therefor, and to the first mentioned cleat 3. I The front plate is provided with an upwardly extending portion 10 forming a cushion rim terminating in a rolled edge 11 that forms a stop 12 for the cushion 13, the cushion being arranged to be removably secured by said stop and the back cushion v1'4, forming the seat space, between which'the said cushion 13 is forced to position. The character A refers to the article forming the subject matter of this invention which consistsof a top plate 15, preferably of light sheet metal, the top having its edges 16 formed to enter the seatplace in place of the cushion, and to receive the cushion 13 onsits top, the top now taking the place of the cushion support 6 so faras supporting thecushion 13 is concerned. For this purp'ose the top is provided with an edge formed by a downwardly extending rim 17 secured to the perimeter. of the top in any suitable manner, as by rivets 18, to form a retracted extension, to enter and be secured as in the case of the cushion by the stop 12 and back, cushion 14, and an upwardly extending rim 19 secured to the said top, by said rivets, to form a projected extension, the latter to substitute for the stop12 to secure the cushion 13. i i

A supporting means 20 for the top is pro-- vided and consistsof legs 21 pivotally attached to the top, as at 22, the legs being arrangedto fold against the under side of the top and within the downwardly extending rim, there to lay snug against the top in a manner that proper seating of the lower rim will prevail against the cushion support 6. v

The legs have a portion turned over at s their bottom to, form a boot .23 and are suitably braced by cross members 24 and a spacing Washer 25 is provided at the pivotal point i to provide room for side braces 26 that are pivotally attached to the outer side of the legs.

The side braces have their free ends turned Bover, as at 27, as clearly shown in Fig. 5,

to engage the apertures 28, to thus secure the legs rigidly when the article is in use, and to engage the apertures 29 when the legs are folded, in the usual manner of such braces. lVhile the side braces shown are herein referred to and described other means may be adopted within the scope of the claim for bracing the legs. I

The article may be made eXpansi-ble by forming the top into two parts, as shown in Fig. 6 and providing a guide 30, and a tongue 1 slidably engaging the guide, both said guide and tongue being rigidly secured to the extension. By this means the article may be adapted to various size automobiles without modification.

In this case it is obvious that the top plate and the retracted and projected extensions will be formed on each division of the top, as shown in this figure.

In use the article is placed in the position occupied by the cushion and the cushion replaced in position in the projected extension. Now outside of a slight rise in the height of the cushion there is no apparent change in the position of that member.

The article may now be removed and with its legs extended used to support the front cushion (not shown) in front of the rear cushion and thus provide a relatively even floor consistingofthe front and back cushion upon which small children may play; it may be placed upon the ground and with the addi tion of a cushion make a desirable seat or 49 small couch; or may be used as a table to support a luncheon for a camping party. the top obviously being of ample size to accommodate an auto load of people, they kneeling or reclining about the board. Having thus described my invention, I

claim- I In an article of furniture, having a cushion support and cushion, an expansible top comprising a divided .top plate, a downwardly extending rim secured to the perimeter of each part of said divided top plate and adapted to seat within the cushion rim of said cushion support, an upwardly extending rim secured to the perimeter of each part of said divided top plate opposite to the downwardly extending rim and offset therefrom and providing a substitute stop to secure said cushion, tongues and guides secured to the upwardly extending rims and adapted to prose vide expansible supports for said top, and

means to support said top plate.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES A. TOMPKIN S. 

